CLEVELAND (AP) -- Tampa Bay's Luke Scott has set a club record for futility by going 38 consecutive at-bats without a hit.
Scott was retired on a foul pop leading off the fifth inning against Indians starter Josh Tomlin on Thursday night to break the team mark he shared with Jose Cruz Jr., who went 37 at-bats without a hit in 2004. Scott, who grounded out to second in the second inning, was Tampa Bay's designated hitter in his previous 55 games, but manager Joe Maddon played him at first base in the series opener hoping it would snap him out his slump.
Scott spent 19 days on the disabled list last month with a stiff back. The 34-year-old signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent in January after spending the previous four seasons with Baltimore.
Bill Bergen, a catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, holds the major league hitless record by a position player. He went 0 for 46 in 1909.
Craig Counsell went 0 for 45 last season for Milwaukee.
